Baxter - HP BV4920 B38 1829

THE UNCONVERTED. ss ·~ judge, supposeth the law already either kept or broken, and therefore he resolveth our reward or pvnishment accordingly. Having given you those necessary distinctions, I shall next apply them to the case in hand, in these following propositions:- 1. It is in the glass of the word and creatures, that in this life we must know God; and so according to the nature of man we ascribe to him understanding and will, removing all the imperfections that we can, because we are capable of no higher positive conceptions of him. 2. And on the same grounds we do, with the scripture, distinguish between the acts of God's will, as diversified from the respects or the objects, though as to God's essence they are all one. 3. And the bolder, because that when we speak of Christ, we have the more ground for it from his human nature. 4. And thus we say, that the simple complacency, will, or love of God, is to all that is naturally or morally good, according to the nature and degree of its goodness, and so he hath pleasure in the conversion anu salvation of all, which yet will never come to pass. 5. And God, as Ruler and Lawgiver of the world, had so far a practical will for their salvation, as to make them a free deed of gift ofChrist and life, ' and an act of oblivion for all their sins, so be if they will not unthankfully reject it, and to command his messengers to offer this gift to all the world, and persuade them to. accept it. And so he cloth all that, as Lawgiver or Promiser, belongs to him to do for their salvation. 6. But yet he resolveth, as Lawgiver, that they that will not turn shall die; and as Judge, when their day of grace is past he will execute that decree. · 7. So that he thus unfeignedlywilleth the conversion of those that never will be converted, but not as absolute Lord with the fullest efficacious resolu-.

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